Layered diffuser channel heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace heat exchanger systems face challenges in minimizing fluid pressure drop and reducing power demands while maintaining effective heat transfer, often resulting in increased footprint due to external fans.
Innovation Solution
A layered diffuser-channel heat exchanger design featuring alternating fluid channel layers and diffuser fin layers, with a blower integrated within the central cavity, utilizing additive manufacturing to create complex geometries that optimize airflow and heat transfer, and varying diffuser fin lengths to manage pressure drops and enhance heat flux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external fans are used to drive airflow and increase heat transfer coefficient, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but power demands and overall footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is integrated within the central cavity of the heat exchanger assembly, merging the airflow generation function with the heat exchange structure. This eliminates the need for separate external fans, reducing power consumption while maintaining effective airflow through the channels
Solution Approach 2:
The blower is nested inside the central cavity surrounded by fluid channel layers, placing the airflow generation device within the existing structure rather than adding it externally. This reduces the overall footprint and eliminates the need for additional external components
2Temperature
If traditional heat exchanger designs are used, then heat exchange function is provided, but footprint is increased due to external fans
Solution Approach 1:
The blower and heat exchanger are merged into a single integrated assembly, with the blower housed within the central cavity of the heat exchanger structure. This eliminates the need for separate external fan components and reduces the overall footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The blower is nested within the central cavity of the heat exchanger assembly, utilizing the internal space rather than adding external components. This compact arrangement reduces the overall footprint while maintaining full heat exchange functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces fan power requirements, minimizes footprint, and improves heat transfer coefficients compared to traditional systems, achieving efficient heat exchange with lower pressure losses and increased thermal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of diffuser fins integrally formed with the first surface of a first fluid channel layer and the second surface of a second fluid channel layer
Implementation Method 2
a blower may include a first stage of blades configured to rotate about an axis
Implementation Method 3
external fans to drive airflow and increase the heat transfer coefficient at the interface between air and the walls of the heat exchanger channels
Data Source
AI summary
A layered diffuser-channel heat exchanger may comprise a plurality of fluid channel layers and a plurality of diffuser fin layers interleaved with the plurality of fluid channel layers. Each fluid channel layer of the plurality of fluid channel layers may have a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a fluid channel located between the first surface and the second surface.